06-R 097

2006 -- H 7714

Enacted 02/28/06

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 27, 2006 AS "DOMINICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Williams, Gemma, Picard, and San Bento

Date Introduced: February 28, 2006

     WHEREAS, On February 27, the people of the Dominican Republic, and all free people,

will celebrate 162 years of Dominican independence; and

     WHEREAS, The first European experience of the New World took place in 1492 when

Christopher Columbus landed on the island he called Hispaniola, which in the fullness of time

would become Haiti and the Dominican Republic; and

     WHEREAS, Revolution against oppression has been a constant in the history of the

Dominican Republic, from the slave revolt of 1804, through the mid 19th century struggles against

the tyrannies imposed by France and Spain, to the final conflict with Haiti that resulted in true

independence in 1844; and

     WHEREAS, Juan Pablo Duarte, the father of Dominican independence, in the company

of Ramon Matias Mella and Francisco del Rosario Sanchez, led his people from bondage into

liberty, exhibited degrees of courage, heroism, farsightedness, and vision that elevate him to the

pantheon of freedom fighters that includes Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and the rest

of America's Founding Fathers; and

     WHEREAS, The Dominican flag, designed by Juan Pablo Duarte to symbolize struggle,

sacrifice, and progress – all key elements in the history of America's own struggle for

independence – has become a common and heartwarming sight in the windows of Rhode Island

homes and storefronts, and on countless local flagpoles; and

     WHEREAS, The Dominican Republic's record of free and fair elections sets an example

for emerging democracies the world over; and

     WHEREAS, Humankind's common quest for freedom is most powerfully expressed in

the celebration of successful struggles for independence and the enduring freedom that results;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims February 27, 2006 to be "Dominican Independence

Day" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to His Excellency Flavio Dario Espinal.

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LC02641

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